The Philadelphia Eagles are releasing Andy Dalton, according to a report from NFL Network. They traded a seventh-round pick for him in March.
Throughout the summer, the Eagles had a strange setup with their backup quarterbacks, with Dalton and Tanner McKee serving as “co-QB2.” Neither quarterback played well in preseason games and by the end of training camp, the team chose Dalton as QB2 over McKee.
In the Eagles’ Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears, Jalen Hurts was hit hard and was forced into the medical tent to check on a concussion. While he was being tested, play resumed with Dalton replacing him. Saquon Barkley then raced 14 yards to the 1-yard line, where the Eagles had 1st-and-goal from the 1.
Rather than try as many Tush Pushes as it took to get into the end zone with Dalton under center, the Eagles attempted two-pointers with Barkley that lost yards. On 3rd down, with Hurts still awaiting the results of his concussion tests, Dalton threw an INT.
“I obviously didn’t see the safety over the middle, and he just read my eyes,” Dalton said.
The end result: 12 plays, 95 yards, no points.
Subsequently, Dalton was demoted to QB3 and McKee promoted to QB2.
In all honesty, Dalton found himself in a tough spot. He was asked to finish a long drive with a TD. Of course, that should really be the advantage of a player in his 16th season in the NFL: He’s seen it all and is just ready for these moments.
Dalton has had a long NFL career that he should be proud of, but physically he turns 39 later this month and there’s just no upside. He had a really bad tape last season, and at this point in his career he doesn’t have a strong arm and he’s not a threat as a runner. When he was at his best during training camp, he got the ball out quickly and on time. When he was at his worst, his physical defects were evident.
The Eagles almost certainly attempted to trade Dalton, but found no takers.
If Dalton never makes the team, his only pass attempt with the Eagles will have been an INT.
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